New proposals could put end to Bristol's happy hours
Whitehall officials have been consulting on a raft of new proposals designed to crack down on alcohol consumption.
This has come about after it was judged that a voluntary agreement with pubs, bars and clubs had failed
The former chairman of the Bristol Licensed Victuallers Association, which was recently disbanded, has criticised the plan.
Ron Peters, landlord of the Sawyer's Arms in Nailsea and member of the British Institute of Innkeepers, believes the current laws should be used to better effect.
He said: "It is already illegal for a pub, bar or club to serve anyone more alcohol to someone who is already visibly drunk.
"It is also against the law for a bouncer to allow anyone who is drunk into a pub or club.
"If these two laws were adhered to by bars and pubs across Bristol, then we wouldn't be in the position of needing to introduce new rules to curb binge drinking."
A draft code of conduct was circulated to the drinks and hospitality industries last month.
The pub industry has already told the Government that enforcing the new rules would devastate the sector.
The British Beer and Pub Association claims that five pubs a day are closing in Britain because of tougher trading conditions.
The code, from the Home Office and the Department of Health, blames Britain's bar culture for equating heavy drinking with personal success.
The code warns that alcohol should by no means be promoted as a means of boosting one's 'social, sexual, physical, mental, financial or sporting performance'.
Selling cocktails with suggestive names such as Sex on the Beach or Slippery Nipple will be outlawed.
The draft mandatory code of practice also calls for cigarette-style health warnings to be displayed in shops, bars and restaurants.
They will include a statement from the Chief Medical Officer about safe daily drinking limits; a graphic showing the number of units contained within each glass or bottle; and the address of a website promoting moderate drinking.
Councillor Ron Stone, chairman of Bristol City Council's licensing committee, welcomed the proposals.
He said: "Anything that the Government can introduce that is legally enforceable should be welcomed.
"Banning happy hours and putting health warnings on drinks is all a step in the right direction.
"But to really have an impact the high street off-licences also need similar conditions attached to their licences. Binge drinking doesn't just happen in pubs, bars and clubs."
The Government advises that men should not drink more than three to four units of alcohol a day and that women should be careful not to exceed two to three units st most. A pint of Carling has been calculated to contain 2.3 units of alcohol, while a double vodka has 1.9 units.
The Government has yet to announce its decision on the proposals.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Although no final decision has been made, the Government's initial belief is that the code should be revised with a view to making it mandatory in retail premises that sell alcohol."
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